autocad

[Alwayslearningelec]

anyone know of a good autocad course/books. I have never used it but one of the engineers at work is going to download me a copy. I am an estimator.

Thanks.

 

[JLL0131]

AutoCad has some great tutorials in their help menu that can get you started. Download from the disk or their website the .dwg files that you will need for the tutorials. If you need furher help visit their forums on their website.
And once you get it all figured out, you'll find out the project is using Revit (an AutoCAD BIM product).

 

[StephenSDH]

I learned by fire. It took me a year, before I had it under my belt. I personally learn best by just diving in. I believe AutoCAD has some tutorials built into the help files. I would definitely recommend installing the software and looking at drawings produced by others. I have learned to most by looking at other's work.

If you don't have access to any electrical drawings PM me.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

thanks very much.

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

Horse,

IMO Best way is to learn is on the fly, the software has a lot of bells & whistles for making 3D models and stuff with a lot of icons that can be confusing. I have been using it for over 14 years and still haven't picked up all the in's and outs and probably never will. Since you are only using for 2d drawings try to get the grasp of (model space) where you will draw or insert your layout to the exact measurement, and (paperspace) where you insert your titleblock of your 24" x 36" sheet. Then create your viewports then zoom in and out with the scale that will work for your building/plan that will fit on the sheet.

- JWC

 

[Smart $]

anyone know of a good autocad course/books...

Short of taking a real course for it, I suggest AutoCAD 20xx and AutoCAD LT 20xx Bible by Ellen Finkelstein, where xx is the version year of your software. It comes with a CD/DVD that includes real-world drawings for the exercises, and more.

For what reason are you wanting to learn AutoCAD? I can't imagine you actually need to learn AutoCAD for your position as an estimator, and you don't really need AutoCAD to view the drawings on your computer. Autodesk use to offer a review application in which you could measure, markup, redact, etc. for a lot, lot less money (haven't checked lately, so it might even be free nowadays).

 

[MIEngineer]

You can check out the following link for FREE AutoCAD viewers:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=3239384&siteID=123112

Design Review is a little more sophisticated for drawings reviews, mark-ups, and the like. True View is good as a simple viewer.

 

[hillbilly]

A night course at the local community college is how I learned to run AutoCad.

I'd been drawing on a drafting table with a pencil for a long time, so I picked it up pretty fast.

I've got Auto Cad 12 and 2006, and Auto Sketch 9 which is what I use mostly.

The technology moves too fast to keep up with the new releases (for me anyway).
I suppose that if you were making drawings 100% of the time, you could do it.

I found a program that I was comfortable with, that would do what I needed, and I stuck with it.

Eventually you get familiar with the program, and can actually make working drawings without pulling your hair out.:smile:

Once you get the hang of it, you begin to see what a great tool it really is.
And that's what it is, just a Tool.

Just my opinion
steve

Edit to add:
Be sure to get a book on the program that you finally select.
It will give you the commands and directions to all the little secrets and features the program has.